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Rutabagas are a root vegetable with a white or yellow flesh with a creamy white or pinkish red skin.  They are available year round in Canada.

Purchasing and storing

Choose rutabagas that are clean, well shaped, and heavy for their size and smooth skinned.  Avoid those that are shriveled, flabby or have growth cracks.  They should be stored away from ethylene producing fruit such as apples and avocadoes, in the refrigerator wrapped in plastic for up to a month.

Preparation:

Peel, wash and trim Rutabaga before cooking.  Do not overcook as they will disintegrate.

Baking: Cut into 2” cubes in a 350 degree oven for 50 minutes or until tender.

Boiling: Boil whole rutabagas for 20-30 minutes and sliced ones for 7-10 minutes

Microwaving: Add 2-3 Tbsp water to a glass dish of rutabaga cubes, microwave on high for 7 minutes stirring ½ way through

Stir fry: 6-7 minutes for slices.

Recipes:

Add to stews, soups or stir fries.  Serve fried with maple syrup as a side dish at breakfast, use as a thickener in a soup for lunch or roast with other root vegetables with olive oil and rosemary for a tasty side at dinner.  Mashed or pureed with apples and potatoes and seasoned with nutmeg, they make a tasty addition to pork tenderloin.

Nutrition Facts:

Serving size: ½ cup (70g)